Bhubaneswar,Dec 1 ( Odisha.in ) Harden criminals and goons were hired from Paradip and other places who hurled bombs on the peaceful picketers at Balitutha in the proposed POSCO site on Thursday evening, injuring many, according to a scribe who was present during the attack at Balitutha.
The scribe who did not like to be named told Odisha.in that he is in possession of enough of visuals to establish that many of the assaulters were not from the villages in the proposed POSCO site.
He said that such elements were hired by a senior BJD leader and also a local Congress leader who have joined hands to help POSCO for “mysterious ” reasons.
He said, the pro-POSCO activists were so jovial as if they have owned the Kargil war.
A leader of the pro-POSCO group was heard suggesting the locals to support the POSCO move so that they would be provided with gainful employment once the construction work would be taken up.
Till that time they would be paid Rs 1,500.00 per month. Moreover presently while the POSCO authorities have agreed to pay compensation to the tune of Rs 10 lakhs, Dr. Damodar Rout, the local M.L.A. and former minister who was unceremoniously dropped from Naveen Patnaik Government was negotiating for payment of Rs 12 lakh as compensation, claim supporter of Dr. Rout.
According to some anti-POSCO activists, Dr. Rout was camping in the area since past three days to mobilize support in favour of POSCO. Dr Rout said that most of the people in the region are supporting the project and have come forward.
Talking to Odisha.in an anti-POSCO activist however said that the attack have strongly united the people who love their soil, air, water and the people. “We have become more determined now.
We are ready to sacrifice our lives, but not an inch of land “, he said empathetically.
Radhakanta Sethi , leader of CPI(ML-Liberation ) told Odisha.in that the attack on anti-POSCO activists was designed in the line of Nandigram.
The attackers planned their operation soon the State Assembly was declared sine die, so that there would be no scope for raising the issue in the House, he said, “this is not the end of the agitation, but a new beginning”.
Sethi said, soon the people of Orissa will give appropriate reply to the Government-Corporate sponsored terrorism against the poor and the deprived section of society.”
Senior journalist and human right activist Rabi Das also condemned the inhuman attack on the peaceful agitators at Balitutha. He said that all concerns should condemn such activities and identify the enemies of the people.
Das expressed his shock and surprise over the activities of the police. he said, the police were mute witness to all illegal activities by POSCO supporters who have built up three check posts to prevent common men as well as media from entering the area.
He said, though a series of cognizable offenses were committed by POSCO supporters and criminals, so far the police has taken no action against them, saying that they have not received any F.I.R.
But they can take sue-motto cognigence against the law breakers who can be clearly identified from the video footage available with many TV channels.
Odisha.in